Well, here we go. I went ahead and bought the case and my god it's beautiful to work with. I used to dread cable management, and you will see why further down. However, with this new case, cabling went like a breeze and my only concern was how to hide the already hidden cables. I used scotch tape with some stripes. No, I'm not going to show you how it looks behind the mobo. Now, the case itself is very sturdy, and has a very nice build quality, especially when the only kind of cases you come from are the pre-built crappy ones from HP and Packerd Bell and so on. Working with a real case makes all the difference in the world. Everything just fitted, as if it was custom manufactured for me. The HDD bays are incredibly, ridiculously tight, and you can feel how those HDDs are seriously attached to the case. Very nice solution. The front panel has been a case for criticism, and I somewhat agree - it is a bit plasticky. However, there are plastics and then there are plastics. This front door is definitely the sturdy kind of well made plastic IMO. As for silence, meh, I can't make out a big difference between this one and my old case, because they are idle:ing most of the time anyway. It's in no way über-quiet, which is kind of impossible to be, however, I was a bit disappointed as I can clearly hear the fans work even when I pull down the fan control downwards to 5 v. The noise is, however, pretty miniscule in comparison to the keyboard noise as I'm typing this - so this may definitely be one of those opinions that will change over time. Just keep in mind, it isn't completely quiet.

Addendum: After having stressed the CPU out with real-world stressing, it doesn't get louder at all. It's almost as if I want to open the whole thing up to make sure the cpu fan is still spinning.

All in all, I'm going to go ahead and give it a solid 4.5 out of 5. IMO very recommended, just keep two things in mind: I have a new toy syndrome, and this is my first "real case" as well, although I have worked with friend's cases.

The NT 6 Pro's highs are never harsh or sibiliant, but they can feel over-saturated sometimes on the UHA-6 with the stock 8610; the OPA627 really snaps it all into place and brings a larger, tighter sense of space to acoustic recordings, too. This particular combo hasn't got many downsides at all; though I felt compelled to play nothing but acoustic recordings, so I'll have to see how it works with electronica etc.
I'll be trying the amp with the 4.A later today, and see what that does.

I'm curious why didn't you go for the NT6 instead? Was it due to pricing? I've been hearing the NT6 are one of the absolute most detailed Custom IEM available. Even on par with the SE5s.

Wow, just wow that is meticulously clean. Incredible. I can't state enough how much I like that case either :D

Mine is nice for a flashy gamer case, but yours is on a whole other level. I think I'm definitely gonna use this image of your internals as a guide for cleaning up mine, which is quite a mess as of now: (it looks even messier with the soundcard installed on the bottom most slot)

I always have issues with cords not being long enough to go around the back like that. I think I was able to do so with 2/3rds of them, using extension cables, the last time, though. It doesn't help that I have a full tower case.

I always have issues with cords not being long enough to go around the back like that. I think I was able to do so with 2/3rds of them, using extension cables, the last time, though. It doesn't help that I have a full tower case.

I'm curious why didn't you go for the NT6 instead? Was it due to pricing? I've been hearing the NT6 are one of the absolute most detailed Custom IEM available. Even on par with the SE5s.

I wanted an IEM that had emphasis at the extremes.

When I tried the NT 6es (both Pro and non-Pro) at Hidition's office, I liked the non-Pro version and knew could be very happy with it, too, but its character was to some degree that of a very well detailed and slightly bass-emphasized 4.A... and I already have a 4.A. I wanted something to complement the 4.A, not upgrade it.

The NT 6 Pro cost $50 more than the NT 6, so price wasn't a factor in choosing between the two.

When I talk about the NT 6 Pro the way I do, please keep in mind that I use it almost every day, even though I have other options at hand. When I talk about its shortcomings, it is not in the spirit of trying to make a bad thing into a good thing, it is to see if I can make a very good thing even better.

Ahh ok I think I got it. So the NT6Pro has more bass emphasis. Brings more musical enjoyment overall? While the NT6 takes detail more so to the extremes? That pretty much played a big roll in me deciding to get the Heir 8As. The new 1Plus2s are very neutral so with the 8As I'll get a more bassy/euphoric sound which I am also a sucker for :). But I'm sure in comparison to your NT6Pro it takes that approach even more to the extreme lol :).

More drivers doesn't necessarily mean more bassier. It's entirely the designer's intentions and skill that dictate how the end result sounds.

Both the NT 6 and 6 Pro have six drivers -- in fact, I believe they have identical driver complements, but with slightly different circuits and possibly filters.

I never said more drivers has anything to do with that :). I agree depending on how they implement the IEM and tune it will be the main determining factors. The 8As were indeed designed/tuned to be on the bassier side. That is their intended sound signature.

The new PC cases are a joy to work with, in terms of routing cables and such.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eke2k6

I've been listening to my GR07 through the PB's HP jack for the last few hours, and I'm floored by the SQ. I completely wasn't expecting sound of this caliber from Blackberry, even though they have a decent track record in that department. I just had to look up the specs. Turns out this baby's packing a WM8994.

At this price, I feel like I got away with a Ferrari for the price of a Corolla.

I know the feeling. Really love the sound of mine.

Finally got around to reading MF's top 50 list. It made me feel badly, because I thought I was going to wind up not having heard any of it. Then I realized Beach House's Lazuli is on my phone.

Speaking of which, finally got the OTG USB trick to get audio out of my Samsung. Sounded pretty darned nice.

I never said more drivers has anything to do with that :). I agree depending on how they implement the IEM and tune it will be the main determining factors. The 8As were indeed designed/tuned to be on the bassier side. That is their intended sound signature.

Ah. Yeah. "More drivers == louder or better somehow" is a common assumption here. Packing more drivers seems to allow designers a broader palette to work from, but isn't inherently better, as you know.

The NT 6 Pro is emphasized both in the highs and lows, relative to the NT 6 and 4.A, but the NT 6 and NT 6 Pro have other differences as well. I haven't heard the 8.A, so I can only speculate on how it might compare. average_joe is the only person I'm aware of having all three -- the NT 6, NT 6 Pro, and 8.A -- he compares them in his review of the NT 6 Pro. I recommend reading that if you're curious.

When I tried the NT 6es (both Pro and non-Pro) at Hidition's office, I liked the non-Pro version and knew could be very happy with it, too, but its character was to some degree that of a very well detailed and slightly bass-emphasized 4.A... and I already have a 4.A. I wanted something to complement the 4.A, not upgrade it.

The NT 6 Pro cost $50 more than the NT 6, so price wasn't a factor in choosing between the two.

When I talk about the NT 6 Pro the way I do, please keep in mind that I use it almost every day, even though I have other options at hand. When I talk about its shortcomings, it is not in the spirit of trying to make a bad thing into a good thing, it is to see if I can make a very good thing even better.

I take it your final impressions on the NT6 Pro will be up in the next few weeks? I'm rather curious to read it.